Ste. Anne’s Jazmine Elyse is revisiting one of the first songs she ever wrote as she prepares for the biggest chapter of her music career.
Singer-songwriter Jazmine Elyse recently re-recorded her song "When We Were Young," originally written and released in 2021. The bilingual folk alternative musician says the track marked the beginning of her journey as a recording artist.
"It was one of the first songs I ever wrote on guitar," she says. "I recorded the first version in my drummer's basement on his laptop. It wasn't professionally done or anything, but I still put it out there."
Now, with an EP released and a full-length album on the way, Elyse decided it was time to give the song a fresh life in the studio.
"It's such a special song to me that I really wanted to do it justice and re-record it professionally," she says.
Prairie roots inspire nostalgic songwriting
The updated version was recorded in Marchand with producer Joel Perrault, the same producer who worked on her 2024 EP Back to You. Elyse says the song’s themes of nostalgia and growing apart have only become more meaningful over time.
"It's about growing up with someone and realizing life won't bring you to the same place," she says. "You suddenly find yourself in two different cities and just remembering all those childhood memories."
Growing up in rural Southeast Manitoba continues to shape Elyse's music and songwriting style. Raised near Ste. Anne, she says prairie life gave her a deep connection to nature and storytelling.
"I write a lot about childhood memories and nostalgia," she says. "Growing up in the prairies really helped me develop writing with purpose."
Her song "2008" reflects memories of being pulled through snowy fields on sleds by her parents to visit neighbours during the holidays.
From fiddle tunes to folk stages
Elyse first began performing music as a fiddle player at just three years old and has spent years playing both classical and traditional French music. During the pandemic, she picked up guitar and shifted toward songwriting.
As a Franco-Manitoban artist, she says French traditional music still plays a major role in her sound.
"I grew up playing at Festival du Voyageur every year," she says. "It's part of the culture, part of my blood."
Today, Elyse describes her music as folk alternative with French traditional influences, blending singer-songwriter storytelling with fiddle, harmonica, and folk-inspired instrumentation.
This summer, she will begin recording her first full-length album alongside keyboardist and co-writer Sam Rothman. She also has a major headline show coming up July 30 at Sidestage in Winnipeg.
"It's my biggest show of my career so far," she says.
Looking ahead, Elyse hopes to eventually tour across Canada and beyond.
"My goal is to embark on a Trans-Canada tour after the album release," she says. "Eventually internationally."
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